Paying back family should be a priority

Here is a conversation I have all the time:

Me: Tell me about your debt.

Person: Well, I owe $5,000 in medical bills, I have two credit cards totaling $15,000, my mortgage is $89,000, and my student loans are $27,000.

Me: Alright, let's start-

Person: Oh! I also owe $3,500 to my Grandma, but it's not a priority to pay back. She said I can take all the time I need.

I can't even tell you how often this situation has played out. Anyone I've encountered who owes money to family always keeps it on the back burner. It's rarely, if ever, a part of their debt pay down process. Why is this? People say it's because there is no interest rate and no scheduled payments, but I think it's because family loans often get forgiven out of guilt. There is an understanding that the money may get paid back eventually, but not any time soon. I shouldn't have to say this, but that's not cool.

Money owed is money owed. You can't have a serious debt pay down plan in place if it doesn't include all debts. Including anything owed to friends or family.

I laid out a plan for paying off debt owed to family in this segment from Fox59. Check it out here: